Top 10 things to see/do in Key West

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 15, 2006 4:01 pm

surfpirate wrote:
RinglingRingling wrote:
surfpirate wrote:Skydive (tandem jump) over the keys (http://skydivekeywest.com/). Slightly pricey but worth every penny. It's a short drive up the keys to Mile Marker 17 at Sugarloaf Airport. I've done this twice and each time swore I would take lessons so someday I could free fall on my own. Still haven't done that (though someday I will). The view is incredible and the thrill is beyond description.
I think this was where they flew out of for the Wesley Snipes movie with Gary Busey and Yancy Butler.
One year I did this the film crew of a James Bond movie was also using the airport to film a skydive stunt where Bond dropped in full wetsuit into the seas. I believe it was one of the Timothy Dalton Bond flicks that had significant number of scenes set in the Keys. I talked with the crew and the stunt man (we were both waiting out a summer storm delay before we could jump) .... they spent 3 weeks there filming and made dozens and dozens of jumps to get what ultimately was only about 10 seconds of movie scene. Amazing.

The one with Carey Lowell, and Wayne Newton I believe.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » March 15, 2006 6:47 pm

LAID BACK EVENING BARS:

Awful Arthurs - one of my neighborhood bars... off Angela & Duval.. fortunately the tourist dont really know it's there... walk to the back, find the bar in the sand and you'll find the local's... every night between 11pm - 1am is 2 for 1's.. Mon nights - Open Mic, Tuesday nights - Open Drum Circle.. all other nights is live music by local talent - best local musicians are found here!

Two Friends - again mostly locals.. nightly karaoke scene.. on Front Street

Willie T's - next door to Cowboy Bills and Walgreens on the 500 block of Duval...

Green Parrot - another one of my neighborhood bars... CASH ONLY.. but fair prices.. lot of local flava to be found here as well... and complimentary popcorn!!!

Schooners Warf - local flavor... Cheap Drinks...

ROWDY EVENING BARS:

Ricks/Durty Harry's - On Duval.. across from Sloppy's and IK's.. it's Spring Break so wet t-shirt contest every night at midnight.. $5 cover for tourist.. look for Fred (bald bartender a goitee) tell him Kevin sent ya in his direction! He use to work in connecticutt with our very own Key Lime Lee

Lazy Gecko - normally a lot of young locals... but it's Spring Break.. therefore the local ladies are in hiding... but on a good night.. the girls dance on the bar

DINING:

Margaritaville Cafe - Go in and ask for my section... there are two Kevin's working there now... ask for the Kevin with the shaved head... I'll take care of ya.. can't help ya on the prices but I can insure your food and drinks are clean

If I'm not in... go with the Smoked Fishspread over the fritters for an appetizer... trust me.. you can get fritters anywhere..

Pat Croce's Rum Barrel - corner of Front and Simonton... if your looking for steak's... this is a good start... ask for Mike... he mainly works nights and works days with me over at M'ville... but be sure to tip him well...

B.O.'s Fishwagon - Corner of Caroline and William.. by the harbor.. only open during the day... THIS is where you get good fritters...

Turtle Krauls - For Breakfast... off Duval follow Green Street to the North Side (aka: the Harbor) continue following the boardwalk past Schooner's and the county bathhouse... you'll find it... Good B'fast, Great Prices!! Lot of local's in the form of boat crews to be found here during the late afternoon prior to sunset...

Blue Heaven - Corner of Petronia and Thomas... BREAKFAST!!! I suggest the "Rooster Special"... ask for Neal's section... he works with me at M'ville... He'll take care of ya...

Sandy's Cafe - Best coffee on the island... corner of White Street and Virginia (couple blocks off Truman across from the White Street Fausto's) if you see M&M Laundry then you've found it...

Upper Crust - Best Pizza on the island...

Mr. Z's - Fast Italian... (Pizza, Stramboli's, Grinders, etc.) on Southard... couple doors up from the corner of Duval... next to the Pegasus Lobby entrance..

Meteor Smokehouse - Kick Ass BBQ... on Southard between Duval and Whitehead... ask for Ana...

BEST SUNSET VIEWS

Though many will say Mallory Square... that's only because that's the only place anyone knows to go to... if you wanna see the celebration then head to Mallory... if you want a good birds eye view then go to the top of La Concha Hotel... 400 Block of Duval... but it has started getting rather crowded up there and unless you get there early (too early for my liking) then you wont really have a good view at all because some 6' 6" British tourist will be standing in front of you trying to utilize his camcorder and digital camera on a tripod all at the same time while balancing his mojito.. BUT IF YOU WANT THE BEST AND UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW of the sunset... then walk down to Ft. Zach Beach... and pick a spot on the Jetty... trollies run down there or you can walk in for $1.50... but it's a pretty fair hike to the beach... access is through Truman Annex (a snooty residential community) follow the flow of traffic down Southard and you'll find it... it's past Duval, Whitehead and Thomas...

THERE's my input... Have Fun Bro! Enjoy the island and remember to come back when it's NOT Spring Break... trust me, it's better then...

EDIT: Anywhere you go... if you mention that you're a parrothead then do it in the latter part of the meal... THEN tip your server well... PH's have a widespread reputation in this town for being crappy tippers... even if you go into a place for drinks only... tip a minimum of a dollar a drink... Paradise ain't cheap, but unfortunately a lot of the cruise ship crowds are... trust me, I curse them everyday

BTW - if you're into wine... check out The Grand Vin... it's on the 300 or 400 Block of Duval... if you're around on Wed. or Thurs. nights then ask for Chris... he tends the Wine bar there on those nights and co-wrote the book Quit Your Job And Move To Key West...

balcony girls · Post by **balcony girls** » March 15, 2006 7:09 pm

STOP . . you're killin me . . ! !

and Robert Roberts. . ? ?

it doesn't get any better than hearing it from a true local . . and a BN'er, to boot. . ! !

good to hear from ya, Kev . .! !

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 15, 2006 7:48 pm

PH's have a widespread reputation in this town for being crappy tippers.

having had this discussion a bit prior to MOTM, one would think that the onus would be back on the cruise people rather than the folks who showed up a week after Wilma blew thru. If that didn't dissuade the impression, then no matter what we do will. And frankly (tho I do tip pretty well for good service), if I am going to be thought ill of simply because I wear a hawaiian shirt or am in town right after FantasyFest, I have no problem living down to unwarranted expectations.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » March 15, 2006 8:39 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
PH's have a widespread reputation in this town for being crappy tippers.
having had this discussion a bit prior to MOTM, one would think that the onus would be back on the cruise people rather than the folks who showed up a week after Wilma blew thru. If that didn't dissuade the impression, then no matter what we do will. And frankly (tho I do tip pretty well for good service), if I am going to be thought ill of simply because I wear a hawaiian shirt or am in town right after FantasyFest, I have no problem living down to unwarranted expectations.

I understand... I recall last November in Angelina's Pizza a sign that read.. "If you can spell Buffett, You can spell tips" for that very reason, I left no tip!!
I've discussed it with folks at work... and they acknowledged that last Fall was much better... but apparently the year before was horrible...

I'm just trying to encourage folks to continue "working towards a change" in the reputation!! As I tell folks down here... I'd never heard that.. I generally tip very well and I'm a parrothead.. as do most folks that I know! It's a joint effort.. I'll keep working on 'em from this end, you guys do your part on ur end

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 15, 2006 8:44 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:
RinglingRingling wrote:
PH's have a widespread reputation in this town for being crappy tippers.
having had this discussion a bit prior to MOTM, one would think that the onus would be back on the cruise people rather than the folks who showed up a week after Wilma blew thru. If that didn't dissuade the impression, then no matter what we do will. And frankly (tho I do tip pretty well for good service), if I am going to be thought ill of simply because I wear a hawaiian shirt or am in town right after FantasyFest, I have no problem living down to unwarranted expectations.
I understand... I recall last November in Angelina's Pizza a sign that read.. "If you can spell Buffett, You can spell tips" for that very reason, I left no tip!!
I've discussed it with folks at work... and they acknowledged that last Fall was much better... but apparently the year before was horrible...

I'm just trying to encourage folks to continue "working towards a change" in the reputation!! As I tell folks down here... I'd never heard that.. I generally tip very well and I'm a parrothead.. as do most folks that I know! It's a joint effort.. I'll keep working on 'em from this end, you guys do your part on ur end

I hear you. And to be honest, the times I have spent in M'ville have been pretty good, (and if there is one place on the Island that does deserve to serve as a beachhead for the movement to remove the stigma, it would be there), and of course, having the Blonde Tornado riding herd on us on Saturday Morning upstairs probably doesn't hurt.

It just irks me a little that the locals gripe the way they do about everyone.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » March 15, 2006 9:13 pm

ask the girls at the Red Garter... I tip well

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » March 16, 2006 5:19 pm

the best thing to do in Key West - dinner at Margaritaville with Heather Dee Perry

Clintster7 · Post by **Clintster7** » March 21, 2006 10:44 am

go to fausto's and get some chocolate milk!!!!!

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 21, 2006 10:47 am

ragtopW wrote: ask the girls at the Red Garter... I tip well

and they returned the favour, I am sure.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » March 21, 2006 8:11 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
ragtopW wrote: ask the girls at the Red Garter... I tip well
and they returned the favour, I am sure.

Judge I refuse to answer that question.........

Parrothed71 · Post by **Parrothed71** » March 22, 2006 6:01 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
sonofabeach wrote:all of these have been mentioned but are almost mandatory

Southernmost Point
Captain Tony's
Margaritaville
Conch Train Tour (be prepared to spend 35 bucks a piece)
Get some key lime pie somewhere
Schooner Wharf
Jimmy's Studio (next to Schooner Wharf)

heck ,after that I'd just walk around, window shop and wing it.
Rumour has it this won't be the case much longer.

Is he moving his studio??!!

Parrothed71 · Post by **Parrothed71** » March 22, 2006 6:02 pm

We were just in KW....Theres a place called "Camilles" which is really tasty for breakfast or dinner!

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » March 23, 2006 1:26 pm

Good tips re: the sunset and Fort Zachary Taylor (although I used to be one of those snobs in Truman Annex...LOL...just think, those people are paying $250K for 1000sq feet of house...).

I always recommend mallory square...because you don't go just for the sunset, but the celebration as well. Otherwise, you can go out to Tank Island (or is it Sunset Key....) or just take one of the sunset cruises.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 23, 2006 1:30 pm

Parrothed71 wrote:We were just in KW....Theres a place called "Camilles" which is really tasty for breakfast or dinner!

Simonton and Amelia or a block "south" of that corner. And yes, they make a great breakfast. Good, attentive servers, and Baby's Coffee in the urns.

NorthernConch · Post by **NorthernConch** » March 23, 2006 3:00 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
Parrothed71 wrote:We were just in KW....Theres a place called "Camilles" which is really tasty for breakfast or dinner!
Simonton and Amelia or a block "south" of that corner. And yes, they make a great breakfast. Good, attentive servers, and Baby's Coffee in the urns.

always liked Two Brothers for the seafood omlette or the harbormasters office at the Bight. great 2 egg , hashbrowns and toast, coffee breakfast for cheap!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » March 23, 2006 3:04 pm

Thing I love about Pepe's for breakfast is their fresh-sqeezed juice. Yum.

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » March 23, 2006 3:06 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:Thing I love about Pepe's for breakfast is their fresh-sqeezed juice. Yum.

Screw that....breakfast at Pepe's means one of their coffees filled with booze....

Pepe's rocks...thank god more tourists don't know about it or won't go out of the way to get there.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » May 9, 2006 10:57 pm

I'm psyched!